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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#41: Fuzzy Friends (or Foes?)

Hey, writers! I'm Tracy Gold, an editor, writer, and mom to a toddler, horse, and dog. And this week, I'm taking over Reedsy Prompts!

As an editor, I've enjoyed working on young adult fiction (like Amanda Searcy's Watch You Burn), non-fiction (like Gary Vikan's The Holy Shroud), and sci-fi/fantasy (like Nikki Richard's Demon in the Whitelands). Visit my Reedsy profile to learn more about me and my work!

My theme for this week is "fuzzy friends." From Hedwig in the Harry Potter series to Enzo in the The Art of Racing in the Rain, nothing captures hearts like a beloved animal. Animals can be powerful antagonists, too: just look at Jurassic Park! Perhaps what I love most about books featuring fuzzy friends (or foes) is that they mine the depths of the human heart by exploring how we interact with animals. I hope these prompts help you sniff out a good story!

This week's prompts

Write about an animal who changes a person's life (for better or worse).

Kids – 232 stories

Write about an animal species that doesn't exist in real life — an alien, new discovery, imaginary creature — it's up to your interpretation!

Middle School – 145 stories

Write about an animal who goes on a journey.

Kids – 69 stories

Write a story featuring an animal who subverts expectations (like a snuggly tiger, or something more magical, like a literal fish out of water).

Kids – 69 stories

Write about an animal who causes a huge problem.

Middle School – 99 stories

Stories

“A Precious Cat” by Kathleen March

Submitted to Contest #41

A Precious Cat I’ve lived for several decades. During that time, I’ve shared my homes with a number of cats. Don’t think that because there have been quite a few that they were disposable cats I used up and threw away. Heavens no! The majority of my feline companions have lived long, happy lives - nine or maybe more, such as in the case of Bizowis. His nineteen years are another story, however, plus he may have been part human so maybe shouldn’t be counted among cat tales. And oh, by the way, his name mean...

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“Finding a New Home” by Carille Durbin

Submitted to Contest #41

"Get up. we're leaving," Mama told Liz. Liz was only six months old but she could walk. Liz opened her sleepy eyes to look at her mother. "Come on we are leaving now," her mother repeated. Liz looked around and discovered the rest of the family was starting to move. She got to her feet and started walking as fast as she could. Members of her family parted so Liz was surrounded by adults. &...

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“Glug Hits the Road” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #41

Author’s Note: Another of my stories in verse. Hope it works!Glug the Pug liked to toddle, to waddle, to trot,Some dogs like to run at full tilt. Glug did NOT.He snuffled and sniffled and kept his own pace,a look of content on his wrinkled up face.He was not one to hasten and not one to hurry,and not one to scamper and not one to scurry.Though every so often he felt a slight tug,as his owner Lucy exclaimed, Come ON, Glug!But one day Glug decided that this got him down,and he’d had enough of the crowds and the town,He wanted t...

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“Captain Murray’s new pets” by David Drew

Submitted to Contest #41

My mission on the ESE Escapade was the most challenging experience of my life. And to be honest it was all rather unexpected, because nobody thought we’d find much life on the planets in Star System 25.My name is Dr Caelon Griffin. I am a medical officer serving in the Intra-Galactic Medical and Research Corps (IGMRC). After my internship, I was appointed to the ESE Escapade on its maiden voyage. What an opportunity! It was my first time on a ship of the Galactic class, never-mind such a fine one. It was also the first time I was traveling m...

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“Teddy” by Aspen Adelaide

Submitted to Contest #41

Running as fast as my feet can carry me. The air is brimming with a green fragrance reflecting my surroundings. Tall fescue grass tickling my ankles with each stride. Sticks threatening to trip me. At eye level all that can be seen is the dense pines, bark, and moss passing by. Above me the canopy is a maze of branches and leaves with an intense pine smell. Behind the canopy is a menacing grey sky, cold and somber. I hear steps pounding close behind me. Are they catching up? I can’t risk questioning whether they’re closing in or if I’m ...

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“Coaster” by Amanda Gauvin

Submitted to Contest #41

Ali gripped her knees into the warm muscular shoulders of the leathery black beast beneath her. She tuned out the other racers and the bright plasma-screens displaying the fact that she and Coaster were in last place—again. Instead, she let the rhythmic sounds of Coaster's curved talons beating against the dry, packed earth drown out the screaming crowd. Ali brought her attention to the blistering wind that whipped past her, hardly stirring her ebony hair, braided tight against her scalp, to prevent it obstructing her vision. As the onl...

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“K-10” by Ed Vela

Submitted to Contest #41

If I were a betting dog, I'd wager you've never heard of a K-10? The next step in the evolution of my parent K-9 species. Now before you think I'm a robot, or some genetically engineered designer doggie from some sci-fi breeder, hold your cats (you humans would use the word horses, but I like cats). My name is Ajax and I am a K-10! I don't know how I happened, I just happened. From the time I was born the sixth in a litter of seven pups and immediately understood the importance of pushing your way to the teat to get to the life sustai...

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“Luka The Traveling Motorcycle Cat ” by MaureenJ Poutoa

Submitted to Contest #41

Luka The Traveling Motorcycle Cat. Luka was asleep on his bed, When he was woken by his mate, Suge. “Come on Luka, we’re going on a long Journey today” said Suge. It was 7am in the morning, Suge was already dressed in his clothes. He only needed to put on his motorcycle clothes before leaving the house. Suge went to the kitchen to get Luka’s cat food, he wanted to feed him before they left To go on their Favourite place. While Luka ate his food, Suge put his motorcycle gear on. “Here you go Luka, here’s your motorcycle hat, f...

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“Red Rover” by Joshua Hopper

Submitted to Contest #41

I knew the accident was going to change my life forever. I just didn’t realize how much. My own recollection of that night is fuzzy. The doctors said something about a head-on collision, a coma, and paralysis. I guess I’ll have to take their word for it. What I do remember is saying goodbye to my wife and telling her I loved her right before my vision faded to black and I slipped out of consciousness. My wife, Betty, died that day. She was gone instantly, no pain, no suffering, no fear. I’m grateful for that, at least. From my hospital...

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“The Wompup” by ✰ Jessica ✰

Submitted to Contest #41

The Wompup creature was a curious thing.The fact that I'd found it first made me want to sing!A little thing, nestled in a hole in the ground, so quiet and soft, it didn't make a sound.Tiny little wings adorned it's sides, and when it's lids blinked open, I saw bright yellow eyes.I carefully reached into the hole, and brought out my discovery that was as black as coal.The sweet little thing refused to move, but slept in my hand and I had not a clue what to do.Should I give it up?Should I let it go?Or should I keep it as a pet until I grow ol...

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“Memories of Marcel” by Kiruthika Shantharam

Submitted to Contest #41

A Centre was located at the dead-end of the street. Right after lunch, staffs were working in a Centre. It was during the peak of the Summer.There was an abrupt heavy noise outside. Staffs rushed & stood noiseless. There it was - Grey in colour, Big eyes, Fat, Weak, With Large Stomach & Long Tail. Yes! It was none other than the Monkey. It had thumped down the Water Can & Water was leaking all-around. It was drinking rapidly to quench its thirst. It almost drank half of the Water Can. Some of the Staffs were looking at ...

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“I Will Always Remember You” by Sarah Wang

Submitted to Contest #41

I awake when it is still dark. Listening to the pitter-patter of rain outside, I glance shakily upon the features of the still cabin, moonlight reaching out from the windows and enveloping the meager room in an eerie, spectral haze. What was it that caused me to feel so frightened just now? Glancing down underneath the bed, I stretch out my arm, letting my hair fall across the front of my face in a rather sluggish attempt to check if Rocky is still asleep. “Oh...

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“Bull Market” by Iam Danger

Submitted to Contest #41

I began my testimony before the US Senate by placing an advertising sign from a popular fast food restaurant on a tripod so CSPAN could see it.It said, “Eat More Chicken” except it was misspelled in their sign, and my obsessive-compulsive disorder did not allow me to knowingly misspell a word without getting the shakes. I had a huge note pasted on it saying “DON’T” right in front of “EAT” and another one correcting the spelling of chicken right after it. The big red block letters of the word served to both change the message and r...

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“The Interrupting Meow” by Josh C

Submitted to Contest #41

The cat meowed and pawed at the front door. Richard tried to ignore her. Amidst the commotion in the house it should not have been difficult, but the little brown cat kept at it. She was tenacious when she wanted something. Eventually he could stand it no more and shoved his laptop aside and opened the door. The cat paused for a couple of seconds in the doorway before slinking outside. Richard shook his head and dodged his children running through the house to get back to his laptop. The month had been chaotic enough already trying to s...

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“Junk Dog” by Bree Kokiri

Submitted to Contest #41

*This story contains themes of death and animal abuse, reader discretion advised*“Jerry? Did I lose you?”I snap out of my daze and look up at my therapist. She’s wearing an unintentionally smug expression and tapping her pen, waiting for my reply. Her patience is almost as short and unprofessional as her pencil skirt. “Jerry I know this is hard but I need to you to try. Shelly would want you to try.” She coerces. That was the last straw. I threw myself out of the ugly velour arm chair. “And how the hell would YOU know what Shelly w...

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$50

Prize money

614

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - May 15, 2020 EST

Won by Jack Basson 🏆

Title: A Cat of Ganymede

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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